Happy 40th Birthday Shawn

Mom writes: Such a special day. I was way, way overdue for you to come and finally everything was coming fast. We had to drive from Hawthorne to Santa Monica. We get to St. John’s Hospital and all the nurses and aides were talking about New Years Eve. I didn’t have a whole lot of time before they took me to the delivery room. When the moment came everyone stopped because you came out looking around and so awake and aware. Bright Eyes! Always interested in everything around you. Everyone commented about how beautiful you were. You are so special. Happy Birthday, Love Mom.

Then...

Now...

Christmas at Pop and Grammie Shell's

We celebrate our family Christmas on Christmas eve. This year Brent's family (Melinda, Jacob, Paige, Noah) and Stephanie's family (Matt, Bracken, Camden, Ainsley) joined us. Shawn's family (Jeff, Jesse, Jenna, Shanna) couldn't make it due to Jeff's work schedule, although they were able to be with us on Thanksgiving; a special treat. Christmas dinner consisted of 14.5 lbs prime rib, green beans, brussel sprouts, mashed potatoes & gravy, corn, rolls, iced tea, punch, and chocolate cheesecake. Pictured here are the Rowley and Hay children under our Christmas tree.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

The snow storm finally arrived on Monday as predicted and left behind 18-24" of fresh powder. Weather the remainder of the week didn't get above the mid-thirties. Highways and roads were hazardous due to ice and Interstate 5 (I-5) was closed for periods both Monday and Tuesday. However, careful driving, snow tires and 4-wheel drive did the trick (no snow chains required) to get us to the cabin safely. We arrived Friday afternoon and the snow at the cabin was still as fresh as if it had just fallen. Friday afternoon we tried to build a snowman on the patio deck but the snow was not cooperating (too powdery). Friday evening we watched Star Wars V The Empire Strikes Back. Saturday morning was play day in the snow...sliding down the driveway and playing in the snow cover playground while Grammie was getting a haircut. Pictured below: Bracken and Camden at the Christmas tree in the front yard, inside warming up after playing in the snow, and videos of them sliding down the driveway. Everyone had a wonderful time.

Bracken and Camden help decorated the cabin for Christmas

This weekend we decorated the cabin for Christmas. Bracken and Camden decorated a small Christmas tree. We were hoping for a big snow fall but the big storm was late, not scheduled to arrive until Monday. Grammie noticed that some snow was starting to fall so she walked the boys over to the patio window to watch. Bracken said: "I never knew that snow came from the sky." "I caught snow with my tongue." "I think that is not something that many people see." Camden said: "That's so funny." "I never saw that before." The boys were so excited. We wish the snow fall could have been more, but we're taking the boys back to the cabin again Friday afternoon and we hope that the snow is sufficient to build a snowman. Bracken and Camden have also developed an interest in Star Wars and we played with their Star Wars The Clone Wars figures. We also watched the first Star Wars movie (Star Wars IV The New Hope). Here are some pictures of Bracken and Camden after they decorated the Christmas tree. They also baked some Christmas cookies with help from Grammie.